Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1887-01-22
EDITOR GRADY'S GRAFTON
WORDS TO THE NEW ENGLAND
SOCIETY.
Eoldest and Truest Annunciation Ever
Made by Cavalier to Puritans-Its
Effect as Expressed by the Press.

A fascinating reporter of the Alta MT
Constitution wired that paper an accoun
of Editor Grady's speech before the New
England Society, New York, at its eighty
first annual dinner Three speeches ar,
commented upon. They were made by
Gen. Sherman, Rev T. Dewitt Talmagt
and Mr.. Grady. 1t is said to be the first
instance known wherein the entire press
OF New York all gave praise. Strange
too, it was before the old New England
Society of Purtans by sponsor from ths
South and for the South The leading
papers gave great prominence to it in
their news columns, and some of them
commented editorially. The Suns lead
ing paragraph was as follows:
The grand feature of Che New England
dinner last night was the speech of Ed
itor Grady, of the Atlanta Constitution.
twas the best speech that has been de-
iivered in this city in many years.
1t is doubtful if the sun ever gave
higher editorial endorsement to speech
The Times, quite as cautious in giving
editorial sanction as the Sun, and even
more critical, says in a leading editorial;
There were three noteworthy speeches,
and only three, at the New England
dinner. The Rev Dr. Talmage's speech
was funny, and, really, it is a great gift
TO make men laugh without asking why
Gen. Shermans speech was crowded with
"reminiscences and with the experience
of the man, AMI it is well that the New
England Society and the country should
not forget why Gen. Sherman is a hero
and popular idol But the speech of
the evening was Mr.. Henry w. Grady's
upon the New South 1t was eloquent
1t swept the whole range of emotion, of
sentiment and of patriotism. 1t was an
American" speech in a sense that those
magnetic statesmen who boast of being
American to their finger tips can never
equal, though they have the days of Me
thusaleh. In all its four-score years the
society of Plymouth Rock worshipers
never heard speech that was better,
worth its while to hear and think about.
The Evening Post says in its leading
editorial:
The feature of the New England Soc-
etys dinner on Forefathers night was
the speech of Mr.. Henry W. Grady, of
, Atlanta, Ga, on The New South" 1t
was in every way most notable address
full of eloquence which stands the
severest test of perusal in print the fol
lowing morning; lightened by a humor
which is well sampled in the delicious
alusion to Gen Sherman as one ''who is
considered an able man in our parts
though some people think he is a kind of
a careless man about fire." instinct with
u patriotic spirit which stirs the blood of
the reader infused with the vital qualities
of that oratory that touches the heart be
cause there is sincere feeling behind the
speakers words 1t was the perfect ex-
preston of what has hitherto never been
adequately set forth by any Southern
man, or fully understood by the North
1t is notable that not single paper in
the city had a word of dissent or criticism.
1t is doubtful If such unanimous approval
was ever accorded a speech delivered in
the city before In the news reports Mr.
Grady,s speech is made the feature; in
many papers the other speakers being
merely alluded to.
Many kilograms of congratulation
were sent him.
Mr. Algt rlon s Sullivan, president Of
the Southern Society of New York, sent
an eloquent letter of thanks in behalf of
that society, of which Mr. Grady was
made the first honorary member The
speech is the topic of the day in New
York and receives from all classes the
unstinted applause it won in delivery |
and the superlative praise it has from
the press,
BEFORE THE AUDIENCE,
To begin with, the cean-shaved, boy
ish looking face of the speaker, conspic-
uous among the grizzled faces of the
veterans on the platform, bespoke the
sympathy of the audience, as instantly
the crowd arose and added second and
heartier round of cheers TO the formal
greeting with which his name was re-
ceivcd. 1t was a trying moment. Gen
Sherman had just taken his seat, amid
wild applause and the band had just fin
ished playing Marching Through Geor-
gia the audience accompanying with
ringing song, and refraining when the
Young beOISldH dfOst 10 duufcSS I0e duu-
iense of strangers and late enemies. lie
was pale with excitement, and without
President Russell, leaned for
ward, and in a clear, slow voice delivered
these words:
There was South of slavery and Sc
South is dead. There is a
South of union and freedom-that South
thank heaven, is living, breathing, grow
ing every hour. These words, delivered
from The immortal lips OF benjamin ii.
Hill at Tammany II : in 1886. true then
and true now, shall make my text to-
night.
Every sentence caught applause-the
last sentence. as Mr.. Grady paused, with
ringing cheers With easy grace, MIR.
Grady then turned to the President, and
said:
Mr. President and Gentlemen Let
me express to you my appreciation of
The kindness by which am permitted to
address you. | make this abrupt ac.
advisedly, for | feel that {
#. when raise my provincial voice in
This ancient and august presence, | could
Ind e. "a &c for no more than the open I
NJ sentence, it would be well if, in that I
/. n ence / had met in a rough sense my :